Tips for Christian Moms Struggling with Postpartum Depression

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Today’s post is from Julie at Unmasking the Mess. Julie honestly shares a bit about her experience with postpartum depression with us along with tips for Christian moms struggling with postpartum depression. Please keep in mind that we are not suggesting you simply pray and keep trying to muddle on, while prayer is an important aspect of fighting postpartum depression there are times when medicines and therapy are needed. Do NOT feel like you have failed or are “less of” a Christian if you need to use them.

The shades were drawn and the only light illuminating the room was that of a small bedside lamp. The blankets and sheets on the bed looked like someone had just gotten up from the bed. Next to the bed was a leaf printed upholstered chair, and crumpled on it was a young woman with tangled hair. She was grasping her knees and shaking.

What was supposed to be a joyous time became an overwhelming series of hours and days.  As she looked over into the crumpled sheets, a small almost invisible smile escaped, a new baby slept peacefully. She looked away as the tears began to cascade down her face.

Have you been there? If you haven’t I hope you never experience these feelings.

It’s common for women to experience the “baby blues” — feeling stressed, sad, anxious, lonely, tired or weepy — following their baby’s birth. But some women, up to 1 in 7, experience a much more serious mood disorder — postpartum depression. ~American Psychological Association.

 

Different from Expectations

My fifth birth was different from my expectations. I figured I had been through this enough times that I knew what to expect. I’d have the baby and enjoy a few days from my responsibilities and then re-join my role as mother to five kids.

The birth went fine, but the days following the delivery, I ran into problem after problem.

My tailbone got injured during the delivery so any position was painful. Breastfeeding was awful and I soon had sores and bleeding nipples. The baby wasn’t peeing or pooping and one night, mastitis hit me hard.

Five days after the birth, baby Ethan had a frenotomy to cut his tight lip and tongue tie. Thankfully, over the next few days, he was able to feed normally. However, I was still dealing with mastitis and an abscess in my breast.

My husband went to work about a week after delivery and I felt exhausted as each day went on. The expectations of resting and relaxing after the baby was born were just met with never-ending problems and stress.

When your hormones are out of whack from childbirth, every issue seems harder and larger. Consequently, my baby blues turned into PPD.

I can’t handle this.

Everything is falling apart, I’m falling apart.

I can’t do this, I don’t want to do this.

God, you said this was a blessing, but it feels like a punishment.

7 Tips for Christian moms struggling with postpartum depression + ways you can support her. #postpartumdepression #takebackpostpartum @juliealoos Click To Tweet

Christian Moms Get Postpartum Depression

The guilt was heavy. Here God has blessed me with a healthy baby and I was sad, exhausted and frustrated. I didn’t want any of it. My attention became so focused on how I was feeling, it made bonding with my baby difficult.

Through all of this though, God was with me even when I felt like I was all alone. Every time I asked for strength, He supplied it. He never let me down and He increased my faith and trust in Him through this difficult time.

He met each of my needs and daily provided to me and my family.

This was the greatest lesson I learned during my struggle with PPD: no matter what circumstance I find myself in, God will provide for me.

(2 Corinthians 9:8, NLT).

8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Momma- if you’re here right now, I want to hug you! I want to encourage you that these overwhelming feelings won’t last forever. Don’t be overcome with guilt or shame, because the truth is Christian moms get postpartum depression.

In the meantime, reach out to your doctor because they can provide the best help as you transition through these changing hormones. If they suggest medication, don’t feel weak. The most courageous are the women who understand they need help and get it.

In the meantime, here are a few tips that can help you as you travel through this season.

7 Tips When You’re Hit with PPD

1. Sleep as much as you can (if you’re able, nap when baby sleeps).

2. Spend time in the Word, even if you don’t feel like it.

3. Pray for strength, peace, and endurance. God will give you what you need.

4. Ask for help and for prayers.

5. Accept that you are not alone and this is not your fault.

6. Reach out to others who have been through PPD.

7. Get out of the house and around people.

I know it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but God will use even this to grow your faith. God will enable you to help another Christian mom as she battles postpartum depression.

(Psalm 46:1, NLT).

1 God is our refuge and strength,

always ready to help in times of trouble.

If you’re not dealing with PPD, but know a mom who is, you are able to encourage and support her as she journeys through this hard season.

How you can support a mom going through PPD:

Offering to help with her other kids or around the house.

Sending her encouragement cards or verses to pick her up.

Spending time with her or doing a Bible study with her.

Grocery shopping for her.

*PPD is a serious situation as we can see from news reports of moms hurting themselves or their kids. New moms need extra help regardless if they have PPD or not.

After a few months and the use of medication, I began to feel like normal again. The biggest element to coming through PPD was time, medication and trusting that God would use this to grow me in some way.

Momma, if you’re here suffering through, please get help and then trust that God will refine you and grow you through this to be the women He wants you to be.

(Deuteronomy 8:2, NLT).

2 Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.

Julie Loos is the mom of 5 kids and has been happily married to Greg for 17 years. She loves to read, eat chocolate, drink iced tea and spend time writing in the midst of messes. You can find her at her blog Unmasking the Mess, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

 

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